Combined cap and carrying bag

ABSTRACT

A cap having the ability to convert to a bag is disclosed herein. The cap comprising a crown having inner and outer surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projects upwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer, including a band surrounding at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap where the band has opposing edge portions and a mechanical engagement attachment feature on the edge portions wherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature is configured to engage and form an internal storage compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/867,773, filed on Jun. 27, 2019 which is fullyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of headgear and more directlyto a cap having the ability to convert to a bag.

BACKGROUND

In U.S. Pat. No. 1,172,927, entitled “Bathing Cap” there is disclosureof a bathing cap that is convertible into a bag in which bathinggarments, stockings and slippers may be carried and readily convertibleagain into a cap. The cap is described as having an opening in its crownand a means for closing said opening, and a lining member normallypositioned within the crown but capable of withdrawal to form, with thecap, a bag or receptacle.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,944, entitled “Combined Cap and Carrying Bag”there is disclosure of a visored cap with a crown having an internalstorage compartment when not being worn by the user. The cap is providedwith an elongated or cutout opening in the visor for grasping as thecarrying handle by the user. A detachable cover is carried about thesweatband of the cap crown for enclosing the internal storagecompartment when used for storage.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,583, entitled “Sports Cap Having Pocket on Visor”there is disclosure of a sports cap having a stretchable pocket on theentire top surface of the visor and preferably worn on the head of auser while exercising, golfing, climbing or fishing. The cap has a visorintegrated along the lower front edge of a crown into a single bodythrough a sewing process, which pocket is provided on the entire topsurface of the visor by sewing a stretchable pocket fabric along therounded front edge of the visor.

A continuing need therefore exists to provide a cap which will serve asa head covering and which can also be relatively easily converted into abag for the storage of a wearer's items.

SUMMARY

A cap capable of converting into a bag, comprising a crown having innerand outer surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projectsupwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer, including a bandsurrounding at least a portion of the internal surface of the cap wherethe band has opposing edge portions and a mechanical engagementattachment feature on the edge portions wherein the mechanicalengagement attachment feature is configured to engage and form aninternal storage compartment.

A cap capable of converting into a bag to provide an internal storagecompartment, comprising a crown that defines a cavity and an aperture incommunication with the cavity to receive and accommodate the head of awearer within the cavity, a band surrounding at least a portion of aninternal surface of the cap defining the cavity, wherein said bandincludes opposing edge portions, and a mechanical engagement attachmentfeature configured to selectively couple the opposing edge portions ofthe band to each other and at least partially close the aperture anddefine the internal storage compartment for storing one or more useritems, and decouple the opposing edge portions of the band from eachother to allow for removal of the one or more items stored in theinternal storage compartment and/or to allow the aperture to receive andaccommodate the head of the wearer within the cavity.

A cap capable of converting into a bag and providing an internal storagecompartment, comprising a crown that defines a cavity and an aperture incommunication with the cavity to receive and accommodate the head of awearer within the cavity, a band surrounding at least a portion of aninternal surface of the cap defining the cavity, wherein said bandincludes opposing edge portions, and means for at least partiallyclosing the aperture of the crown and defining an internal storagecompartment for storing one or more user items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap of the present disclosure in theform of a cap.

FIG. 2 is a side-view of the cap shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cap of the present disclosure where thecap is in the form of a cap.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the cap of the present disclosurewhere the cap has been converted into a bag.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cap of the present disclosure where thecap has been converted to a bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a cap 10 consistent with thepresent disclosure. The cap 10 includes a crown portion 12 that can beworn on a wearer's head that is preferably in the form of a dome(semi-circular shape) and having inner and outer surfaces and optionallya visor 14 which projects/extends outwardly from the front of the cap10. The visor 14 can be configured substantially flat, or include acurved profile depending on a desired configuration.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the crown portion 12 defines an aperture 3in communication with a cavity 5 to receive and accommodated the head ofa wearer within the cavity 5. The cavity 5 may be defined at least inpart by inner surface(s) of the crown portion 12. The cavity 5 may alsobe referred to herein as an internal storage compartment (orreceptacle), receptacle space, or simply a storage compartment, when thecap 10 is transitioned to a bag.

Preferably, at least the visor 14 of the cap 10 is formed of a rigidmaterial comprising one or more layers of nylon, polyester, cardboardand/or plastic, such that the visor 14 provides structural support forone or more items stored in the cavity 5 of the cap 10, when the cap 10converted to a bag. For example, a user may grip the visor 14, e.g.,pinch opposing surfaces of the visor 14 between two or more of theuser's fingers, and place one or more items, such as keys, wallet,and/or other objects such as a baseball within an otherwise unsupportedcrown portion 12 without the sidewalls forming the cap 10 deforming andpotentially allowing objects to inadvertently fall out of the cap 10.

In this scenario, the visor 14 then preferably acts as a cantilever whengripped by a user to support the weight of the objects stored in the cap10 and maintain the angle of the visor 14 relative to the unsupportedcrown portion 12 at substantially the same angle as when the cap 10 iswithout item(s) stored therein. For instance, the front (or logo) regionof the crown portion 12 adjacent the visor 14, e.g., where words andlogos are commonly emblazoned, can be configured to extend relative tothe visor 14 at a desired angle to increase visibility of the logoregion of the crown portion 12 and/or increase aesthetic appeal whenused as a cap, with this angle being also referred to herein as anatural angle. When the cap 10 is converted to a bag, the visor 14 thenpreferably provides structural support to the cap 10 such that the angleof the visor 14 relative to the front region of the crown portion 12remains substantially the same as the natural angle, e.g., within 1-20degrees and preferably within 10 degrees, when storing a maximumpredetermined amount of item weight within the cap 10. For example, onesuch natural angle for the visor 14 and logo region of the crown portion12 is 90 degrees, and the cap 10 is preferably configured tosubstantially maintain the angle of the visor 14 relative to the logoregion of the crown portion 12 between 70 and 90 degrees, and morepreferably between 80-90 degrees, when storing an overall item weightwithin the cap 10 of 5 pounds (lbs) or less.

As generally referred to herein, item weight refers to the overallamount of weight introduced by items stored within the cavity 5 of thecap 10, and maximum item weight refers to the amount of item weight thecap 10 can store while substantially maintaining the natural angle ofthe visor 14 relative to the front region of the crown portion 12, e.g.,when the visor 14 is pinched by a user's fingers and the crown portion12 is otherwise unsupported. In one specific non-limiting example, thecap 10 is configured to preferably store and support at least 0.5 pound(lb) to 5 lb of maximum item weight in this manner, and more preferably,at least 1 lb of maximum item weight.

Note, the cap 10 may also be further reinforced by the materials chosenfor the crown portion 12 and/or based on a mechanical engagementattachment feature, as discussed further below, that can both preventitems from falling out of the cap 10 when converted to a bag andincrease structural integrity to allow for yet higher maximum itemweight.

Preferably, the front region of the crown portion 12 is formed by one ormore layers that cause the front region to be relatively less flexiblethan other regions of the crown portion 12, such as the regions adjacentadjustment band 18. For example, the front region of the crown portion12 may be formed from one or more layers of fabric comprising nylon,cotton, polyester, and/or polyurethane, and can optionally include areinforcement layer (e.g., formed from a plastic or other suitably rigidmaterial) sandwiched between fabric layers forming the front region ofthe crown portion 12, or otherwise be coupled to the front region, toprovide further reinforcement. On the other hand, other areas of thecrown portion 12 can be formed from the same, or different materialsrelative to the front region, and in a configuration that results ingreater flexibility relative to the front region of the crown portion12. In this preferred example, the crown portion 12 may then provide arelatively rigid front region along with one or more additional flexibleregions, e.g., at the back and/or sides of the cap 10, to increase usercomfort while also providing structural support and rigidity.

The cap 10 may also optionally include an opening 16 and an adjustmentband 18. The opening 16 can be configured to accommodate the hair of awearer, such as to allow a ponytail to extend from the opening 16 when auser wears the cap 10. The cap 10 includes a lower edge portion 17 (alsoreferred to herein as a crown lower edge) that generally defines theaperture 3 and from which the crown portion 12 projects upwardly toaccommodate the head of a wearer/user. The cap 10 includes an interiorband 20 that extends at least partially, and preferably, fully aroundthe inner diameter of the crown portion 12. The band 20 may be made outof any natural or synthetic material and preferably fabric materialformed from cotton, polyester, or a blend thereof. Optionally, the band20 may be formed of other suitable materials such as leather. However,preferably, the band 20 may serve as a sweatband and be made of, forexample, a moisture absorbing material such as cotton or otherviscose-based fibers.

Other such examples of moisture absorbing material suitable for use asthe band 20 may include, but are not limited to, terry cloth, which is areference to a fabric with uncut loops, or pile, standing away from abase portion. The band 20 implemented as a so-called sweatband maytherefore be made from one or more fabrics, including cotton, polyesterand/or nylon fibers, for example.

The band 20, when formed of materials that absorb moisture, mayalternatively or in addition, include “wicking” material(s) such aswicking yarn, where such materials are able to absorb moisture orotherwise communicate moisture away from the head of the wearer. Theband 20 may also be preferably selected from stretchable type fibers,such as polyurethane fibers, spandex, or other synthetic fibers whichwill stretch and recover and provide such elastic properties to provideimproved wearing comfort, and also to facilitate the ability of band 20to form a bag defining an internal storage compartment or receptacle asdescribed herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the band 20 surrounds at least a portion of theinternal surface of the cap 10. The band 20 is also preferablyconfigured such that all or a portion of the band 20 may engage andcontact a wearer's head. The band 20 preferably extends from the loweredge 17, and is preferably configured to rest against the interiorsurface of the cap 10 when worn by the user. Preferably, when the cap 10is in the configuration where it is worn on a user's head, the band 20circumferentially surrounds the entire lower edge portion 17 of thecrown portion 12, except for opening location 16 at the rear of the cap10. However, it is contemplated that when the opening location 16 is notpresent, the band 20 may surround all or a portion of entire lower edgeportion 17. See also FIG. 3. In addition, the band 20 is preferablyattached to the cap 10 via the inside lower edge 17 of the cap interior.

As can also be seen, on an edge portion of the band 20 one now attachesor integrally forms a mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 sothat opposing portions of the band 20 may be selectively removablycoupled together by a user-supplied force. When the opposing portions ofthe band 20 are coupled together by the user-supplied force, theaperture 5 may then be at least partially closed to transition the cap10 to a bag, with the bag providing an internal storage compartment orreceptacle, e.g., based at least in part on the cavity 5, for carryingvarious items and preferably a predetermined maximum item weight asdiscussed above.

Stated differently, the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 ispreferably configured to selectively couple the opposing edge portionsof the band 20 to each other and at least partially close the aperture 3and define an internal storage compartment based on cavity 5 for storingone or more user items. This configuration may also be referred to as aclosed configuration. The mechanical engagement attachment feature 22 isfurther preferably configured to decouple the opposing edge portions ofthe band 20 from each other to allow for removal of the one or moreitems stored in the internal storage compartment and/or to allow theaperture 3 to receive and accommodate the head of the wearer within thecavity 5. This configuration may also be referred to as an openconfiguration, or a wearable configuration.

Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the mechanical engagementattachment feature 22 is in the form of a zipper provided by a zipperinsert 36, and as can be seen in FIG. 1, the teeth shown generally at 22of the zipper define a track and are preferably disposed and attachedalong opposing edge portions 24 and 25 (see FIG. 3) of the band 20.

The zipper may therefore be preferably attached to the opposing edgeportions 24 and 25 of the band 20 by stitching a zipper insert 36 (SeeFIG. 5) to the edge portions 24 and 25, but it is contemplated thatother attachment procedures may be utilized, including the use ofadhesives. Preferably, the zipper is configured to extend substantiallyparallel with the visor 14 when the same is present in the cap 10 andwhen the zipper is in a closed configuration (See e.g., FIG. 5).

The zipper provided by the zipper insert 36 is therefore one preferableexample means for at least partially closing the aperture 3, and thus byextension, for transitioning the cap 10 to a bag by defining an internalstorage compartment for storing one or more user items based on cavity5. Alternatively, or in addition to the zipper, a cap consistent withthe present disclosure may utilize other types of mechanical connectionstructures to connect the opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the band20, such as snap connectors, button fasteners, overlapping fabric snaps,magnetic connectors, carabiner type connectors and/or hook and loop typefasteners. The present disclosure therefore also contemplates theseadditional structures as an alternative to, or to be used in combinationwith, the zipper to provide a suitable means for at least partiallyclosing the aperture 3 and transitioning the cap 10 to a bag anddefining an internal storage compartment for storing one or more useritems based on cavity 5.

A side view of the cap 10 shown in FIG. 1 is next illustrated in FIG. 2.From this view, the cap 10 includes the band 20 within the interior ofthe cap 10, and more specifically, within the crown portion 12 (see FIG.1), and the cap 10 appears to an observer as a conventional/standardcap, and importantly, hides or otherwise obscures to an observer thatthe cap 10 is capable of conversion to a bag that provides an internalstorage compartment (or receptacle) to store and retain a user's items.

It should also be noted that in the configuration of the cap 10 shown inFIG. 2, which is to say a wearable configuration provided by theaperture 3 being in an open configuration based on the mechanicalengagement attachment feature 22, the user of the cap 10 will preferablynot perceive or be aware of the cap's ability to convert to a bag, e.g.,the user preferably does not feel the presence of the mechanicalengagement attachment feature 22 between their head and the sidewallsforming the crown portion 12 of the cap 10. For example, when the band20 is in its unassembled form (or open configuration), and with respectto the example of the cap 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 with a zipperproviding the mechanical engagement attachment feature 22, the user willpreferably not feel the presence of the zipper teeth shown generally at22 or the zipper slider/head 29 (see FIG. 3) when the cap 10 is worn onthe user's head.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cap 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. As can bebetter observed in this view, the mechanical engagement attachmentfeature 22 is implemented as a zipper and includes a head (or slider) 29and a bottom stop 26 which can engage with pin 28. Pin 28 is attached toopposing edge 25 of the band 20. At 30 is a top portion of the zippertrack 23 which serves as the location to stop the zipper once it hastraveled along its track and brought together the opposing edges 24 and25 of the band 20 to convert the hat into a bag defining a receptaclefor a user's belongings, e.g., an example of which is furtherillustrated in FIG. 4.

Note that the bottom stop 26 and pin 28 may alternatively be disposedadjacent the visor 14 such that the zipper begins connecting opposingedge portions 24 and 25 adjacent the visor. In this configuration, theuser may therefore grip tip 33 (which is discussed in further detailbelow) with a first hand while supplying a force to the slider 29 with asecond hand to cause the slider 29 to travel towards the adjustment band18 and connect together opposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the band 20.

More specifically, FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the cap 10where the zipper is now fully engaged (or in a closed configuration) andopposing edge portions 24 and 25 of the zipper have been removablyjoined/coupled to provide a bag having a receptacle space 32 in thecrown portion 12 based on cavity 5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, theopposing edge portions 24 and 25 couple together and form an interfacetherebetween. The interface may be defined by the zipper and morespecifically the zipper track 23, as shown, or by other suitablestructures for selectively attaching the opposing edge portions 24 and25 together as discussed above.

An imaginary line drawn along the interface thus extends substantiallyparallel with the visor 14, when the visor is present, or alternativelythat extends from the front region to the back of the crown portion 12.Note, other configurations are within the scope of this disclosure andthe opposing edge portions 24 and 25 may also be configured to form aninterface when coupled together that extends substantially transverserelative to the visor 14, when the visor 14 is present, or alternativelythat extends along a path that intersects with lateral sides of thecrown portion 12. In any event, the user may now also rely upon theoptional adjustment band 18 as a handle which may be readily grasped bya hand of the user. Also, as can be seen, there can be formation of atip portion 33 as described more fully herein.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cap 10 wherein where the zipper is in thefully engaged (or closed) position/configuration. Opposing edge portions24 and 25 of the band 20 are again shown as joined together by thezipper, and as can be seen, the band 20 now preferably defines arelatively planar surface extending across the aperture 3 of the cap 10that would otherwise fit the user's head. In this configuration, theopposing edge portions 24 and 25 may also be described ascovering/closing the aperture 3. Preferably, the relatively planersurface defined by the edge portions 24 and 25 extends across theaperture 3 and at least partially closes/covers the same, and preferablyfully covers the same. This planar surface similarly defines the featurethat the cap 10 has now been converted into a bag with a receptaclespace 32 (see FIG. 4) based on cavity 5 where a user may nowconveniently place their belongings for storage purposes. The innersurfaces of the band 20, and more specifically the opposing edgeportions 24 and 25, at least partially define the receptacle space 32 inthis configuration. As further shown, the planar surface preferablyextends substantially parallel relative to visor 14.

Preferably, the band 20 includes a width as illustrated by arrow 34 inthe range of 0.5″ to 5.0 inches. The width of the band 20 preferablyremains relatively constant as the band 20 proceeds around all or aportion of the lower edge 17 of the cap 10 interior, e.g., the width forany selected width of the band 20 is in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 inchesand does not vary by more than +/−0.1 inch, or +/−0.2 inch, or +/−0.3inch. The width 38 of the zipper insert 36, which provides the zipperand slider 29, may preferably be in the range of 0.1 inch to 1.5 inch.It can therefore be appreciated that width 34 and/or width 38 may varydepending upon a particular size or geometry of the cap at issue.

As discussed above, and as shown in FIG. 5, when the opposing edgeportions 24 and 25 of the band 20 are joined/coupled together, and whenthe band 20 has a relatively constant width as noted above, there isformation of a tip portion 33. Preferably, the tip portion 33 extendsbeyond the lower edge portion 17 such that the tip portion 33 can extendover the surface of the visor 14, when the visor 14 is present. Thisadvantageously allows for the receptacle space 32 to have an increasedoverall volume for storing a user's items based on the tip portion 33being elongated and providing additional headroom/space (e.g., see FIG.4) to increase the overall storage capacity of the receptacle space 32.

As can therefore be seen from the above, the present disclosure relatesto a cap having the ability to convert to a bag and provide an internalstorage compartment or receptacle. The cap comprises a crown havinginner and outer surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projectsupwardly to accommodate the head of a wearer, including a bandsurrounding at least a portion of the internal surface of the capwherein the band preferably: (1) extends from the crown lower edge;and/or (2) rests against the interior surface of the cap; and/or (3) isconfigured to engage and contact with a wearer's head. The band includesopposing edge portions and a mechanical engagement attachment feature onthe edge portions wherein the mechanical engagement attachment featureis configured to engage and covert the cap into a bag having an internalstorage compartment.

The above particular embodiments have been shown and described and itcan be appreciated that changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the general configurations that have been disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap capable of converting into a bag to providean internal storage compartment comprising: a crown having inner andouter surfaces and a lower edge from which the crown projects upwardlyto accommodate the head of a wearer; and a band surrounding at least aportion of the inner surface of the cap, wherein said band includesopposing edge portions and a mechanical engagement attachment feature onsaid edge portions; and wherein said mechanical engagement attachmentfeature is configured to engage and form said internal storagecompartment.
 2. The cap of claim 1, wherein said mechanical engagementattachment feature includes an open configuration to allow for saidcrown to be worn on the head of the wearer, and a closed configurationto removably couple said opposing edge portions to each other and definesaid internal storage compartment.
 3. The cap of claim 1, wherein saidmechanical engagement attachment feature comprises one or more of azipper, snap connector, button fasteners, overlapping fabric snaps,magnetic connectors, carabineer type connectors, and/or hook and loopfasteners.
 4. The cap of claim 1, wherein said band extending from saidcrown lower edge comprises a sweatband that is configured to absorbmoisture.
 5. The cap of claim 4, wherein said sweatband comprises terrycloth, cotton, polyester, polyurethane or nylon fibers.
 6. The cap ofclaim 1, wherein said band rests against the inner surface of the capand is configured to engage and contact the head of the wearer.
 7. Thecap of claim 1, wherein said band attaches to and extends from saidcrown lower edge.
 8. The cap of claim 1, wherein said mechanicalengagement attachment feature comprises a zipper provided by a zipperinsert attached to said crown lower edge.
 9. The cap of claim 8, whereinsaid zipper insert defines a tip configured to extend beyond the crownlower edge.
 10. A cap capable of converting into a bag to provide aninternal storage compartment comprising: a crown that defines a cavityand an aperture in communication with the cavity to receive andaccommodate the head of a wearer within the cavity; a band surroundingat least a portion of an internal surface of the cap defining thecavity, wherein said band includes opposing edge portions; and amechanical engagement attachment feature configured to selectivelycouple the opposing edge portions of the band to each other and at leastpartially close the aperture and define the internal storage compartmentfor storing one or more user items, and decouple the opposing edgeportions of the band from each other to allow for removal of the one ormore items stored in the internal storage compartment and/or to allowthe aperture to receive and accommodate the head of the wearer withinthe cavity.
 11. The cap of claim 10, wherein said mechanical engagementattachment feature comprises one or more of a zipper, snap connector,button fasteners, overlapping fabric snaps, magnetic connectors,carabineer type connectors, and/or hook and loop fasteners.
 12. The capof claim 10, further comprising a visor extending from the crown, andwherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature is configured tocouple the opposing edge portions together and form an interface betweenthe opposing edge portions, wherein an imaginary line drawn along theinterface extends substantially parallel with the visor.
 13. The cap ofclaim 12, wherein the mechanical engagement attachment feature comprisesa zipper, the zipper providing a track that defines the interface atwhich the opposing edge portions couple together.
 14. A cap capable ofconverting into a bag and providing an internal storage compartmentcomprising: a crown that defines a cavity and an aperture incommunication with the cavity to receive and accommodate the head of awearer within the cavity; a band surrounding at least a portion of aninternal surface of the cap defining the cavity, wherein said bandincludes opposing edge portions; and means for at least partiallyclosing the aperture of the crown and defining an internal storagecompartment for storing one or more user items.
 15. The cap of claim 14,wherein the means for at least partially closing the aperture isconfigured to removably couple the opposing edge portions together, theopposing edge portions at least partially defining the internal storagecompartment.
 16. The cap of claim 14, further comprising a visorextending from the crown.
 17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the means forat least partially closing the aperture is configured to couple theopposing edge portions together and form an interface therebetween, andwherein an imaginary line drawn along the interface extendssubstantially parallel with the visor.
 18. The cap of claim 16, whereinthe means for at least partially closing the aperture is configured tocouple the opposing edge portions together and form an interfacetherebetween, and wherein an imaginary line drawn along the interfaceextends transverse relative to the visor.